McCain Foodservice Solution has chosen to invest £100,000 ($127,174) in 12 street food start-ups.

The investment will be made under the firm’s Streets Ahead programme, which was rolled out last year.

The programme is supported by the social enterprise KERB+ and seeks to promote new street food operators from less privileged backgrounds.

McCain chose the start-ups from more than 100 participants who participated in a two-day event organised at Mission Kitchen in London.

During the event, the participants cooked their hero dish and presented it before a jury, which comprised representatives from McCain and KERB+.

One of the selected operators is Nigerian refugee Kemi Ogulana, who received an investment of £6,000 ($7640.6) to support her business.

Ogulana said: “The McCain Streets Ahead programme has taught me a lot. I have been blessed with so much support from the team here.

“There have been times I've been nervous and unsure if I can do this, but they have always encouraged me to reach for my dreams and I wouldn't have made it here without them.”

Four participants were awarded £6,000 ($7,640.6) in investments; another four received £10,000 ($12,734.3); and three received an investment of £3,000 ($3,820.3).

The remaining £21,000 ($26,741.9) will be used by McCain and KERB+ to organise a showcase market for the winners by the end of this year.

McCain Foods commercial director Richard Jones said the goal of the Streets Ahead programme would ensure that the next generation of “operators flourish and support individuals in building skills where they wouldn't ordinarily receive.”